5 THINGS TO WATCH: SPURS VS. LAKERS

The San Antonio Spurs (1-0) will get their first game on the road in the new season with a visit to L.A. to face the Lakers (1-1). The Spurs and Lakers met in the opening round of last season’s West playoffs where San Antonio handed L.A. an early exit with a sweep (4-0). However, the Lakers have made changes including losing Dwight Howard to free agency (signed with Houston) and are still without Kobe Bryant who is recovering from an Achilles injury.